epigraphic 
It [the Arabic of .Mohammed] was the peculiar dialect 
of the tribes near Mecca, and up to the present no epi- 
qrapliic monument anterior to the sixth century of our era 
iras attested its existence. Cvnlenipnrary Itci:, XLIX. 144. 
The authority of the epigraphic monuments, as briefly 
given above, is thus place'd in direct opposition to the 
authority of the Homeric text as understood by Meyer. 
Amer. Jour. Philul., VI. 420. 
epigraphical (ep-i-graf'i-kal), a. [< epigraphic 
+ -at.] Of the character of an epigraph ; epi- 
graphic. 
Verses never intended for such a purpose [inscription 
on a monument, etc.], but assuming for artistic reasons 
the epigraphical form. Encyc. Brit., VIII. 477. 
epigraphically (ep-i-graf'i-kal-i), adv. Con- 
sidered as an epigraph ; in the manner of an 
epigraph. 
Epiiimphically of the same age. 
Isaac Taylor, The Alphabet, I. 133. 
epigraphies (ep-i-graf 'iks), . [PI. of epigraph- 
ic : see -ics.] The science of inscriptions ; epig- 
raphy. 
epigraphist (e-pig'ra-fist), re. [< epigraph(y) + 
-ist.] One versed in epigraphy. 
We shall acquire a long series of inscriptions for the 
epigraphuit. Quarterly lien., CXXVII. 80. 
The post of epiyraphist to the Government of India, 
held till lately by Mr. Fleet, may be speedily revived. 
Atkenceum, No. 3076. 
1970 
the protomala or so-called mandible attached 
to its outer edge. 
What we have for brevity called the epilabra are the 
lamina; fulcieutes labri of Meinert. 
A. S. Packard, Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc., XXI. 198. 
Epilachna (ep-i-lak'na), n. [NL., < Gr. eiri, 
above, + '/.d^vr,, woolly hair.] A genus of 
cryptotetramerous coleopter- 
ans, of the family Coccinellida', 
or ladybirds, forming with a few 
others the group of phytopha- 
gous or vegetable-feeding Coc- 
cinellida;, the rest of the family 
being insectivorous. The distill- Ladybird (Efi- 
guishing character of the group is the lachna borealu), 
form of the mandibles, which are armed slightly enlarged. 
especially in the 
Epimachinae 
epileptogenous (ep'i-lep-toj'e-nus), o. [< Gr. 
cxi'M/irToc, suffering from epilepsy (see epilepsy), 
+ -yevhs, producing : see -genous.~\ Giving rise 
to epilepsy. 
Basilar motor centers [of the brain] may acquire the 
tpfttptogenout property. Alien, and A'eurol., VI. 449. 
' ' 
epigraphy (e-pig'ra-fi), n. [= F. epigraphie = 
It. eptgrafla. < NL. epigraphia, < Gr. etriypa^ii, 
an epigraph: see epigraph.] The study or 
knowledge of epigraphs ; that branch of know- 
ledge which deals with the deciphering and ex- 
planation of inscriptions ; epigraphies. Epigra- 
Shy is a science ancillary to philology, archaeology, and 
istory. It is principally and properly devoted to the 
consideration of inscriptions in the strict sense that is, 
texts cut, engraved, or impressed upon stone, bronze, or 
other material more or less rigid and durable, or one 
capable of becoming so, such as clay. Graffiti, or texts 
consisting of characters incidentally scratched on a wall, 
etc., and dipiiiti, ill which the characters are painted, not 
carved, are for convenience' sake also classed as inscrip- 
tions. On the other hand, the study of the lettering 
(legends, etc.) on coins belongs to numismatics. 
In England the new science of Greek epigraphy, which 
may be said to deal with the chronological and geograph- 
ical classification of Greek inscriptions, has found few fol- 
lowers. Isaac Taylor, The Alphabet, II. 2. 
epigynous (e-pij'i-nus), a. [< Gr. r<, upon, + 
j-iw;, a woman (in mod. bot. 
a pistil), + -ous.] In bot., 
growing upon the top of the 
ovary, or seeming to do so, 
as the corolla and stamens 
of the cranberry. 
EpihippUS (ep-i-hip'us), n. 
Epigynous Stamens and [NL., < Gr. CTri, Upon, + (IT- 
irof , h orse . ] A genus of fos- 
sil horses from the Upper 
Eocene of North America, having four toes in 
front and three behind. Marsh, 1877. 
epihyal (ep-i-hi'al), a. and n. [< Gr. ini, upon, 
+ hy(oid), q. v.',' + -al.] I. a. Pertaining to 
one of the pieces of the hyoideau arch : as, an 
epihyal bone or ligament. In the human subject 
the ligament which connects the so-called styloid process 
of the temporal bone with the so-called lesser cornu of 
the hyoid bone is an epihyal structure. 
II. n. In anat. and eool., one of the pieces of 
the hyoidean arch ; one of the elements of the 
second postoral visceral arch ; a bone inter- 
vening between the stylohyal and the cera- 
tohyal, represented in the human subject by 
the stylohyoid ligament, but of usual occur- 
rence as a bone in other mammals. 
epiklesis, i>. See epiclesis. 
epikyt, [< ML. epikeia, prop, epiccia, < Gr. 
exieiKcia, reasonableness, equity, as opposed to 
strict law, < iineuir/f, fitting, reasonable, < mi, 
upon, + elic6f, likely, reasonable.] Equity, as 
opposed to strict law. 
I am provoked of some 
to condemn this law, but 
I am not able, so it be 
but for a time, and upon 
weighty considerations, 
. . . for avoiding disturb- 
ance in the common- 
wealth such an epiktj and 
moderation may be used 
in it. 
Latimer, Sermons and 
[Remains, I. 182. 
epilabrum (ep-i-la'- 
brum), .; pi. epila- 
bra (-bra). [NL. 
(Pac:kard,"l8S3).<Gr. 
, V Head of Sccfeffncfra, from below 
ffl, Upon, -t- Li. la- (magnified '.showing the epilabrum, 
britin, UD: See la- *e pn>tomala with its cardo (Carit), 
* '-. " and stipes (St] ; Ant, antenna. 
orient.] In Hyria- 
poda, a transverse sclerite, broader than long, 
flanking the labrum, and having the cardo of 
with several teeth at the tip. The spe- 
cies of Epilachna are very numerous, , , 
tropical zone ; they are comparatively large, very convex, 
and hairy above, whence the name. E. borealis (Kirby) is 
very abundant in southern parts of the United States, and 
is often injurious to cultivated plants, especially squashes. 
It is of a honey-yellow color, with black spots. E. ylo- 
bma and E. undeciimnatulata are European species. 
epilate (ep'i-lat), v. t. ; pret. and pp. epilatcd, 
ppr. epilating. [< L. as if *epilatus, pp. of *epi- 
lare (> F. fpiler, deprive of hair), < it. e, out, 
+ pilus, a hair (> pilare, deprive of hair). Cf. 
depilate.] To deprive of hair ; eradicate (hair). 
I have by epilatinij such hairs [white] and stimulating 
the part succeeded in replacing them by a vigorous growth 
of natural coloured hairs. A*, and Q., 7th ser., II. 29S. 
epilation (ep-i-la'shou), n. [= F. Epilation; as 
epilate + -ion.] Eradication of hair, 
epilepsia (ep-i-lep'si-a), . [LL.] Sameasejw- 
epilepsy (ep'i-lep-si), n. [= D. G. epilepsie = 
f>an. Sw. epilepsi = F. Epilepsie = Pr. epilepsia, 
epilemcia, epilencia = Sp. Pg. epilepsia = It. epi- 
tessia, < LL. epilepsia, < Gr. cirtA-riiiia, also ETrP '" 
epileptoid (ep-i-lep'toid), a. [< Gr. 
(i-i'/.i/Ttr-), epilepsy, + tWoc, form.] Kesem- 
bling epilepsy : as, an epileptoid attack. 
epilobe (ep'i-lob), n. [<TGr. eir/, upon, + 7wfi6c, 
lobe.] In entom., a narrow piece often border- 
ing the inner side of one of the lobes of the 
mentum of beetles, when the latter is bilobed. 
The epilobes are joined in the middle, and frequently 
produced in a central prominence called the tooth of the 
nientuin, 
Epilobium (ep-i-16'bi-um), n. [NL., < Gr. km, 
upon, + "/.oftof, a pod, lobe : see lobe.'] A her- 
baceous genus of the natural order Onagracete, 
widely distributed through temperate and arctic 
regions, and including, according' to the latest 
authority, over 150 species. The flowers are pink 
or purple, or rarely yellow, and the seeds a_re crowned 
with a tuft of long silky hairs. The name willow-herb is 
given to the more common species, of which the most 
conspicuous, E. anfiuntifolium, is a tall perennial with a 
simple stem bearing a spike of large purple flowers and 
willow-like leaves. 
epilogic, epiloglcal (ep-i-loj'ik, -i-kal), a. [< 
Gr. e-ito-j'/Kof , CibrCUiyof . epilogue.] Relating to 
or like an epilogue ; epilogistic. Quarterly Kev. 
epilepsy, lit. a seizure, < eirt^ji^/idvecv, seize 
upon, < crri, upon, + Aappaveiv, /.afieiv, take, 
seine. Cf. catalepsy.'] A disease of the brain 
characterized by recurrent attacks of (a) loss 
of consciousness with severe muscular spasm 
(major attack), or (b) loss of consciousness at- 
tended with little or no muscular disturbance, 
or, rarely, slight muscular spasm without loss 
of consciousness (minor attack). 
My lord is fallen into an epilepsy ; 
This is his second fit ; he had one yesterday. 
Shak., Othello, iv. 1. 
Cortical epilepsy, epilepsy dependent on disease of the 
cerebral cortex. Epilepsy of the retina, a temporary 
anemic condition of the retina which has been observed 
during an epileptifonu attack. Peripheral epilepsy, 
epilepsy which seems to be produced by a peripheral le- 
sion. Toxic epilepsy, epilepsy induced by toxic sub- 
stances in the blood. 
epileptic (ep-i-lep'tik), a. and n. [=F. e"pilep- 
tiqite = Sp. epileptico = Pg. epileptico = It. epi- 
lettico (cf. D. G. epileptisch = Dan. Sw. epilep- 
tisk), < LL. epilepticus, < Gr. hutiVTiKof, < Ivi- 
fyiptf (embr/iTT-), epilepsy: see epilepny.] I. a. 
1 . Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of epilepsy. 
Besides madness, and (what are so nearly allied to it) 
epileptic flts, I know of no distemper that the ancients as- 
cribed to possession: unless, perhaps, flts of apoplexy. 
Farmer, Demoniacs of Aew Testament, i. 5. 
As a piece of magnificent invective, [Victor Hugo's] Les 
Chatiments is undoubtedly a powerful work. ... It is 
written in a transport of rage which is almost ejrileptic in 
its strength. Edinburgh Rev., CLXIII. 165. 
2. Affected with epilepsy. 
A plague upon your epileptic visage ! 
Smile you my speeches, as I were a fool? 
Shale., Lear, ii. 2. 
Epileptic aura. Seeaural. 
II. . One affected with epilepsy. 
Epileptics are very often found to have had a father or 
mother attacked with some nervous disorder. 
Quain, Med. Diet., p. 445. 
epileptical (ep-i-lep'ti-kal), a. Same as epi- 
leptic. 
Prescribing it to one who was almost daily assaulted 
with epileptical fits. Boyle, Works, II. 228. 
epileptically (ep-i-lep'ti-kal-i), adv. In connec- 
tion with or in consequence of epilepsy ; caused 
by epilepsy. 
We must also bear in miud that there are on record 
many homicides committed by epileptically insane per- 
sons. E. C. Mann, Psychol. Med., p. 483. 
epileptiform (ep-i-lep'ti-f orm), a. [= F. epilep- 
tij'iirme. < Gr. iiriht/ipif (etrdJiKT-), epilepsy, + L. 
forma, form.] Eesembling epilepsy. 
A man long subject to very limited epileptiform seizures 
may at length have seizures beginning in the *;um i ua\. 
and becoming universal; but these are not epileptic seiz- 
ures, they are only more severe tpiUptiform seizures. 
Pop. Sci. M<:., XXV. 179. 
epileptogenic (ep-i-lep-to-jen'ik), a. [As cpi- 
leptogen-ous + -ic.J Giving rise to epilepsy or 
to an epileptic attack. 
reckon, < Aoyoc, an account: see logic, logistic.] 
Excess in reckoning; addition in computation. 
The Greek and Hebrew making a difference of two 
thousand years, . . . this epilogism must be detracted 
from the Hebrew or superadded to the Greek. 
Gregory, Posthuma (1650), p. 171. 
epilogistic (ep"i-lo-jis'tik), a. [< epilogue) + 
-iat-ic; cf. Gr. em/j>ytaTtn6<;, able to calculate: 
see epilogism.] Pertaining to epilogues ; of the 
nature of an epilogue. 
These lines are an epilogistic palinode to the last elegy. 
T. Warton, Notes to Milton's Smaller Poems. 
epilogize (ep'i-lo-jiz), . ; pret. and pp. epilo- 
qized, ppr. epilogizing. [Also epiloguise; < Gr. 
emfoyi&aOai, address the peroration or epilogue, 
< enitoyof, peroration, epilogue : see epilogue.] 
1. trans. To add to in the manner of an epilogue. 
The laugh of applause with which the charming com- 
panion of my new acquaintance was epilogizing his happy 
raillery. Student (1750), I. 143. 
II. intrans. To write or pronounce an epi- 
logue ; use the style of epilogues. 
epilogue (ep'i-log), n. [= D. epiloog = G. epi- 
log = Dan. Sw. epilog, < F. epilogue = Sp. epi- 
logo = Pg. It. epilogo, < L. epilogns, < Gr. rni- 
?Myof, a conclusion, peroration of a speech, epi- 
logue of a play, < e^Myetv, say in addition, < 
en-i, in addition, + 'kh/uv, say.] 1. In rhet., the 
conclusion or closing part of a discourse or ora- 
tion ; the peroration. The office of the epilogue is 
not merely to avoid an abrupt close and provide a formal 
termination, but to confirm and increase the effect of 
what has been said, and leave the hearer as favorably dis- 
posed as possible to the speaker's cause" and unfavorably 
to that of his opponents. Accordingly, an epilogue in its 
more complete form consists of two divisions (a) a repe- 
tition of the principal points previously treated, and (ft) 
an appeal to the feelings. 
2. In dramatic or narrative writing, a conclud- 
ing address ; a winding up of the subject ; spe- 
cifically, in spoken dramas, a closing piece or 
speech, usually in verse, addressed by one or 
more of the performers to the audience. 
A good play needs no epilogue. 
Shalt., As you Like it, Epil. 
Why there should be an epilogue to a play, 
I know no cause, the old and usual way 
For which they were made, was to entreat the grace 
Of such as were spectators in this place. 
Beaumont, Custom of the Country, Epil. 
epiloguet (ep'i-log), v. i. [< epilogue, n.] To 
epilogize. 
Pleasure . . . 
Begins the play in youth, and epilogues in age. 
Quarles, Emblems, iv. 13. 
epiloguize (ep'i-log-Iz), v. [Also epiloguise; < 
</:ilogue + -ize. Cf. epilogize.'] Same as epilo- 
The dances ended, the spirit epiloguises. 
Stage Direction in Milton's Comus. 
epiloguizer (ep'i-log-i"zer), TO. One who epi- 
loguizes ; a writer or speaker of epilogues. 
[Rare.] 
Go to, old lad. 'tis true that thou art wiser : 
Thon art not framed for an e]iilo<nti?i>/: ll<i<r<l/<'ii. 
Epimachinas (ep'i-ma-ki'ne), . ;il. [NL., < 
Epimachus + -inn .] A group of slender-billed 
